In the heart of this bustling city is a large expanse of grounds surrounding Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most popular landmarks. Its rich and colorful history dates back to the sixteenth century. A temple used to stand in the place where Osaka Castle majestically rises today on its rocky platform. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a Japanese general at the time, wanted Osaka Castle to be the center of a unified Japan.

To get to the main castle, visitors would have to take a scenic walk through the castle's outdoor gardens. We were lucky that day because even though the forecasts warned of rain, the skies were only pleasantly cloudy. It made for very good walking weather. We entered through the Otemon Gate which was closest to the Tanimachi-yon-chome train station. Walking up to the Otemon Gate, we were already amazed by the turret and the walls along the outer moat surrounding the castle. My father, ever the engineer, was fascinated with how the Japanese were able to construct such structures given the technology and resources available during that time period. You see, the walls along the outer moat were made of MASSIVE pieces of rock with perfectly sloped edges. It's amazing to think about the work and craftsmanship that went into the construction of the castle and the walls that surround it. Near Otemon gate, you'll find some of the largest stone pieces in the entire wall. It's a wonder how they were able to move those damn things.

Once inside the outer wall, a few more minutes of walking is required before you get to the Sakuramon gate which is part of the inner wall along the inner moat. From there, Osaka Castle would just be a few meters ahead.

Entrance to Osaka Castle Museum requires an admission fee of 600JPY. There are various exhibits inside the museum. When we visited, we enjoyed the exhibit of the swords and armor used during the Summer War. The craftsmanship and steelwork on the blades were amazing.

Although most of the descriptive texts are in Japanese, the pertinent ones have available english translations. It described how the blades were forged and the technique used by different swordsmiths of that era. It was particularly interesting to know that each swordsmith has a distinctive style when they forge the blades which becomes evident in the way the swords had these individual nuances to them. Aside from the blades, the exhibit also showcases some of the most notable scabbards and hilts. There was this one hilt made entirely out of a tiger's tail!

The museum also has other exhibits on different floors. There's a whole floor dedicated to the history of the castle itself. The story is presented through animated dioramas. The dialogue is in Nihonggo but there are english descriptions beside each "window" to guide non-speakers from story to story.

At the top floor of the castle, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Osaka from the observation deck.

ACCESS:Guests can easily access the castle through Tanimachi-yon-chome Station or Temmabashi Station. Check out this informative map from www.osakacastle.net to learn more about how to get to and from Osaka Castle.

VISITING TIPS

Wear comfy shoes and clothes! You're gonna do a lot of walking.

The paths leading up to the castle are lined with Sakura trees! If you can swing it, try visiting the castle during sakura season for some good ol' Hanami

Outside the inner moat, there's a separate garden called NISHINOMARU Garden, which is a beautiful place for Hanami, as well.